On May 19, 2014, the [[U.S. Department of Justice|Justice Department]] charged five members of the Chinese military of hacking into the systems of U.S. companies and a union. U.S. Steel Corp., Allegheny Technologies, Inc., Westinghouse Electric Co., Alcoa, Inc., Solar World Industries American, Inc. and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) were the alleged targets of the hacking operation aimed at uncovering trade secrets. The indictment, based on the judgement of a grand jury in Pittsburgh, [[Pennsylvania]] named five individuals for conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse. They were Wang Dong, Sun Kailiang, Wen Xinyu, Huang Zhenyu and Gu Chunhui.<ref name="wsjchinacharges">[http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304422704579571604060696532?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304422704579571604060696532.html ''Wall Street Journal'', "U.S. Charges Five in Chinese Army With Hacking," May 19, 2014]</ref>

On May 19, 2014, the [[U.S. Department of Justice|Justice Department]] charged five members of the Chinese military of hacking into the systems of U.S. companies and a union. U.S. Steel Corp., Allegheny Technologies, Inc., Westinghouse Electric Co., Alcoa, Inc., Solar World Industries American, Inc. and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) were the alleged targets of the hacking operation aimed at uncovering trade secrets. The indictment, based on the judgement of a grand jury in Pittsburgh, [[Pennsylvania]] named five individuals for conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse. They were Wang Dong, Sun Kailiang, Wen Xinyu, Huang Zhenyu and Gu Chunhui.<ref name="wsjchinacharges">[http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304422704579571604060696532?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304422704579571604060696532.html ''Wall Street Journal'', "U.S. Charges Five in Chinese Army With Hacking," May 19, 2014]</ref>

Biography

While Kerry was born in Aurora, Colorado, his family moved to Massachusetts when he was young. He eventually was accepted to and graduated from Yale University. Kerry then volunteered for the U.S. Navy and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He earned a Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.[3]

Kerry has been in public service since first running for office in 1972.[4]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Kerry's academic, professional and political career:[5]

Gaza peace talks

On July 24, 2014, Kerry proposed a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas to ease the violence in the Gaza Strip. Kerry's proposal involved a seven day cease-fire backed by the United Nations, which would halt the offensive and possibly allow for the release of some Palestinian prisoners by the Israeli army. However, Israel's former ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren, noted, "if the cease-fire proposal calls for a five- or a seven-day cease-fire that enables Hamas to regroup, reestablish its communication systems and replenish its ammunition, then I don’t think Israel will accept that."[7]

Violence in Libya

Kerry condemned violent attacks by Libyan militias on November 15, 2013, that left 31 protesters dead and more than 200 injured. He released a statement, saying, "If a free people are going to succeed in forging a peaceful, secure, and prosperous country with a government based on the rule of law and respect for human rights, then there can be no place for this kind of violence in the new Libya."[8]

Iran sanctions

Kerry and Treasury SecretaryJack Lew scheduled a briefing with the Senate Banking Committee over nuclear talks with Iran, as the Senate considered new sanctions. Kerry and Lew testified on behalf of the Obama administration in order to push for the ability to waive sanctions depending on nuclear talks. The House passed a version of the bill with stronger sanctions in July.[9] According to a State Department spokesperson, "while we understand that Congress may consider new sanctions, we think this is a time for a pause, as we asked for in the past, to see if negotiations can gain traction."[10]

Iran agreed to an interim deal that Kerry stated, "halts the progress of Iran’s nuclear program and rolls its back in certain places," in exchange for the United States giving $7 billion in sanctions relief. In a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on December 10, 2013, Kerry stated, "Iran’s nuclear programs will not move forward." Pushback came on the six month agreement from both sides of the aisle. Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel said, "I have serious reservations about the agreement," while Republican Rep. Ed Royce claimed that by allowing Iran to continue to enrich uranium under the deal, "we may have bargained away our fundamental position."[11]

Syria

In response to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons on rebels and civilians in a Damascus suburb, Kerry supports President Obama's decision to use a limited military strike against the Syrian government.[12]Kerry stated:
"Well, we know that the Assad regime has the largest chemical weapons programs in the entire Middle East. We know that the regime has used those weapons multiple times this year, and has used them on a smaller scale but still it has used them against its own people, including not very far from where last Wednesday's attack happened."[13]

"It matters because if we choose to live in the world where a thug and a murderer like Bashar al-Assad can gas thousands of his own people with impunity, even after the United States and our allies said no, and then the world does nothing about it, there will be no end to the test of our resolve and the dangers that will flow from those others who believe that they can do as they will."[13]

Congressional positions

Iraq

According to Kerry's campaign website, he supported a true end to the Iraq war. Specifically, Kerry promoted the establishment of a specific date to withdraw all troops.[14]

Fiscal Cliff

Kerry voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.[15]

Controversies

Secretary of State

Chinese hacking charges

On May 19, 2014, the Justice Department charged five members of the Chinese military of hacking into the systems of U.S. companies and a union. U.S. Steel Corp., Allegheny Technologies, Inc., Westinghouse Electric Co., Alcoa, Inc., Solar World Industries American, Inc. and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) were the alleged targets of the hacking operation aimed at uncovering trade secrets. The indictment, based on the judgement of a grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania named five individuals for conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse. They were Wang Dong, Sun Kailiang, Wen Xinyu, Huang Zhenyu and Gu Chunhui.[16]

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang disputed the claims, stating, "The Chinese government, the Chinese military and their relevant personnel have never engaged or participated in cyber theft of trade secrets. The U.S. accusation against Chinese personnel is purely ungrounded and absurd."[17] The Chinese government demanded that the charges be withdrawn and announced their intention to suspend their involvement in the U.S.-China Cyber Working Group. The group was formed in 2013 by Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to address the accusations of hacking between the two countries.[16]

Elections

2008

On November 4, 2008, John Kerry won re-election to the United States Senate. He defeated Jeffrey K. Beatty (R) and Robert J. Underwood (L) in the general election.[18]

U.S. Senate, Massachusetts General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

John Kerryincumbent

63.6%

1,971,974

Republican

Jeffrey K. Beatty

29.8%

926,044

Libertarian

Robert J. Underwood

3%

93,716

N/A

All Others

0.1%

2,516

N/A

Blank/Scattering

3.5%

108,748

Total Votes

3,102,998

2004 presidential election

In 2004, Kerry was defeated by incumbent George W. Bush for the United States presidency.

Other candidates that appeared on the ballot received less than 0.1% of the vote. Those candidates included: Leonard Peltier, Walt Brown, Róger Calero, Thomas Harens, Gene Amondson, Bill Van Auken, John Parker, Charles Jay, Stanford Andress and Earl Dodge.[19]

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for John Kerry, click [show] to expand the section.

2002

On November 5, 2002, John Kerry won re-election to the United States Senate. He defeated Michael E. Cloud (L) and Randall Forseberg (Write-in) in the general election.[20]

U.S. Senate, Massachusetts General Election, 2002

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

John Kerryincumbent

72.3%

1,605,976

Libertarian

Michael E. Cloud

16.7%

369,807

Write-in

Randall Forseberg

1.1%

24,898

N/A

Other

0.3%

6,077

N/A

Blank/Scattering

9.6%

213,543

Total Votes

2,220,301

1996

On November 5, 1996, John Kerry won re-election to the United States Senate. He defeated William F. Weld (R), Susan C. Gallagher (Conservative) and Robert C. Stowe (Natural Law) in the general election.[21]

U.S. Senate, Massachusetts General Election, 1996

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

John Kerryincumbent

52.2%

1,334,135

Republican

William F. Weld

44.7%

1,143,120

Conservative

Susan C. Gallagher

2.7%

70,007

Natural Law

Robert C. Stowe

0.3%

7,169

N/A

Other

0.1%

1,511

Total Votes

2,555,942

1990

On November 6, 1990, John Kerry won re-election to the United States Senate. He defeated Jim Rappaport (R) in the general election.[22]

U.S. Senate, Massachusetts General Election, 1990

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

John Kerryincumbent

54.5%

1,321,712

Republican

Jim Rappaport

41%

992,917

N/A

Other

4.5%

109,950

Total Votes

2,424,579

1984

On November 6, 1984, John Kerry won election to the United States Senate. He defeated Raymond Shamie (R) in the general election.[23]

U.S. Senate, Massachusetts General Election, 1984

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

John Kerry

55%

1,393,150

Republican

Raymond

44.9%

1,136,913

N/A

Other

0%

843

Total Votes

2,530,906

Campaign donors

2008

Breakdown of the source of Kerry's campaign funds before the 2008 election.

Kerry won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2008. During that re-election cycle, Kerry's campaign committee raised a total of $11,105,663 and spent $17,016,823.[24]

U.S. Senate, Massachusetts, 2008 - John Kerry Campaign Contributions

Total Raised

$11,105,663

Total Spent

$17,016,823

Total Raised by General Election Opponent

$2,072,027

Total Spent by General Election Opponent

$2,005,358

Top contributors to John Kerry's campaign committee

University of California

$634,225

Harvard University

$365,239

Goldman Sachs

$308,250

Time Warner

$301,624

Citigroup

$296,681

Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee

Lawyers/Law Firms

$385,356

Democratic/Liberal

$312,901

Securities & Investment

$243,900

Retired

$187,222

Real Estate

$176,030

2002

Breakdown of the source of Kerry's campaign funds before the 2002 election.

Kerry won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2002. During that re-election cycle, Kerry's campaign committee raised a total of $15,468,903 and spent $10,297,909.[25]

2012

National Journal vote ratings

Each year, National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted, as compared to other members, in the previous year. More information about the analysis process can be found on the vote ratings page.

2012

According to the data released in 2013, Kerry was ranked the 24th most liberal senator during 2012.[28]

2011

According to the data released in 2012, Kerry was ranked the 24th most liberal senator during 2011.[29]

Voting with party

2011

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Kerry voted with the Democratic Party 97.2% of the time, which ranked 6th among the 51 Senate Democrats in November 2011.[30]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Kerry paid his congressional staff a total of $2,828,790 in 2011. He ranks 15th on the list of the highest paid Democratic senatorial staff salaries and ranks 20th overall of the highest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Massachusetts ranks 12th in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.[31]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Kerry's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $184,268,546 and $287,685,063.00. That averages to $235,976,804.00, which is significantly higher than the average net worth of Democratic senators in 2011 of $20,795,449.53. His average calculated net worth[32] increased by 1.84% from 2010.[33]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Kerry's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $181,469,521 and $281,976,067. That averages to $231,722,794, which is higher than the average net worth of Democratic senators in 2010 of $19,383,524 .[34]

Personal

Kerry is married to Theresa Heinz. He and his first wife, Julia Thorne, were divorced in 1988. Kerry has two children from his first marriage -- Alexandra and Vanessa. He has three stepsons -- H. John Heinz IV, Andre Heinz and Christopher Heinz.

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